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Fried fest sizzles on square

From apple pies to zucchini, deep fried fare brought locals and visitors to downtown Columbia as part of the 18th annual Southern Fried Festival.

The event, sponsored by the Maury County Convention and Visitors Bureau, featured music, crafts, children’s activities and a wide variety of foods straight from the fryer.

Don Clark of Thompson Station said, as he cut up a piece of fried catfish, that this Saturday was his first time attending the festival

“It’s nice to have people out here,” he said. “It brings people together to meet each other. It gives us a community function where everyone can be out and about.”

Clark said he and his wife had also picked up several cards from businesses they did not know were located in the area.

Trongela Pierce of Columbia said the food is the main reason she keeps coming back to the event.

“We had the Polish sausage, and the deep-fried Snickers were delicious,” Pierce said. “You get a different variety of food here. There are so many talented people making a lot of good stuff.”

Shree Knowles of Columbia said the event also has a friendly atmosphere, filled with music and good food.

“There is a lot of diversity,” she said. “You can relax and have fun as a family.”

Wendy Thurman of Columbia brought out her children for a day of entertainment as well as to buy holiday gifts. She said the ice cream and the funnel cakes served at the festival are always big hits with her family.

Cory Fletcher of Columbia said his daughter spent a lot of time on the bouncing slide and getting her face painted. Fletcher said the festival gave him an opportunity to spend time with his family.

“We had some Polish sausage, and it was very good,” he said. “We are going to try the deep-fried Twinkies later.”

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